The Charlatan

By A. J. Laine

When an evil spellcaster interrupts Kit’s unexciting job as a waitress, she is thrust into a world of magic and war. To her rescue arrives Aron Dunn, a regular customer of the diner with a secret, and Rhys Beckett, Aron’s comrade. Kit is introduced to the world of the Realm where magic is a lifestyle and a practiced art. An ancient prophecy suggests Kit may be in danger and a target for the enemy. With desires to return home, Kit is forced to stay in the city of Breyer until the evil targeting her can be stopped. However, in a world where the impossible becomes reality, Kit must learn to survive and protect herself before an ancient war reaches the city walls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886932331

A. J. Laine

Born and raised in South Carolina, A. J. Laine has been telling and writing stories since she learned how to draw. Her first publication at age 17 inspired her to pursue a writing career and to entertain audiences with fantastical worlds and engaging characters. She currently holds a degree in spaceflight operations and works as a space research scientist. Her goal is to travel the world to learn about different cultures and languages in order to develop and create powerful storylines. However, when she’s not writing or working, she can be found watching science fiction movies with her pets.

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About the Author

Born and raised in South Carolina, A. J. Laine has been telling and writing stories since she learned how to draw. Her first publication at age 17 inspired her to pursue a writing career and to entertain audiences with fantastical worlds and engaging characters. She currently holds a degree in spaceflight operations and works as a space research scientist. Her goal is to travel the world to learn about different cultures and languages in order to develop and create powerful storylines. However, when she’s not writing or working, she can be found watching science fiction movies with her pets.

Dedication

For B. O. B., forwards and backwards.

Copyright Information ©

A. J. Laine 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Laine, A. J.

The Charlatan

ISBN 9798886932324 (Paperback)

ISBN 9798886932331 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023910893

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

I finally did it; I got a book published! There are so many people to thank for this accomplishment that I don’t know where to start.

The Charlatan was written during a very dark time in my life (and during the Pandemic of 2020), so I’m amazed at how gracefully the story was able to come together. Without my family, friends, and supporters, this book would have stayed a file on my laptop; a lost cause.

The Charlatan is a story about magic, adventure, and finding your place in a world that can seem confusing and daunting. As a recent college graduate, I have found that going out into the world can seem really intimidating at first, especially if you have no idea where the road of destiny will be taking you. Similarly, the main heroine in my story faces an undertaking of responsibility that she never asked for but must bear for the sake of a world she doesn’t understand.

My world is a lot fuller and makes more sense because of the people I love—especially my family. My Mom and Dad are always there for me unconditionally and I cannot fathom how to repay that. My brothers care about me even when I don’t deserve their worry, and thoughts. My Gram and Grampy always make my life an adventure and teach me more about the world. My Nana and Pops remind me who I am, and where I come from and that I am loved. Doing life alone is hard, so without these people and my friends whom I cherish dearly, I don’t know where I would be or if these incredible characters, and storylines would even exist.

The road is long and hard, and things will never be easy. Maybe that’s what makes life so amazing. The bright moments outshine the dark ones. To all who read this message, I’d like to remind you that the sun always comes out after the storm and there is light at the end of that never-ending tunnel. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your happiness. I’d like to think that it’s the little thing in life that make things special. So live loudly and make your mark on this world (or maybe on one that you create).

So I will bid you adieu, Reader, until next time. The story must go on. Cheers, and thank you!

Chapter One

What was I looking for?

The mumble left her mouth as her eyes wearily crossed the counter of the Dollar Diner. It was an honest question, as she was foggy-headed today and had been in pursuit for something specific. Yet, the goal fled her mind and she was left confused from where she stood staring at an uncleaned menu that some elderly gentleman had spilt gravy on.

Kit wasn’t sure what she was doing in general. She was simply a waitress working nine to five every day to put food on the dinner table and to pay rent in the declining economy, but today she wanted to be more than a waitress. She was in pursuit of something—anything—that would break the never-ending cycle of her day to day routine.

Finally, she spotted the jelly she had been searching for hidden under some napkins below the counter top. With a sigh, Kit buttered the biscuits and placed them on the serving tray with the usual two mango jellies. Things were becoming too routine for her, too familiar. Kit was never one to settle on something and fall into the rhythm. However, here she was still working at this diner, two years after her temp application for a waitress was submitted to her boss. Two years of hoping to graduate college and to get out into the world. Two years of the ‘same thing’ every day.

Here you go, honey. Martha, Kit’s manager, placed a mug of black coffee on the tray. Here’s his usual. Fresh and hot!

Thanks, Martha, Kit told her with a fake smile, pushing her personal grievances aside for the older woman she respected. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear it.

Well, he keeps looking at you. So I assume he has a real craving for his biscuits or that he has taken a liking to you.

Kit smirked and let out a quiet chuckle. He stares every day. He’s the kind of person that seems to be lacking social skills.

Martha paused, one narrowed brown eye studying the girl’s demeanor. You alright, hun? You look crestfallen.

Kit shook her head with a shrug of her shoulders and a smile that suggested otherwise. I’m fine.

Martha crossed her arms. Listen, girl. I’m 56 years old and I have plenty of experience with my children lying to me, so I know a lie when I hear it. I also know what the word ‘fine’ means. Spill.

Kit looked down sadly and put a hand on her hip. I don’t know what to say, Martha. I’m just really tired…

Martha crossed her arms and smiled fondly. Your mother was the same way, back in the day. I used to hear her sigh all the time about how boring the job was. Kit grinned at the memory of her mother. She had taken the job here knowing she had the advantage of already being acquainted with her mother’s old coworkers. Well, you know what I always say: good things come to those who wait. Then she reached forward and flicked Kit’s arm, much to the latter’s surprise. But that doesn’t mean you keep the costumer waiting! Now go give Mr. Dunn his biscuits. That boy has been coming here too long to receive anything less.

Yes, Ma’am, Kit said quickly, picking up the tray and moving to leave the kitchen.

And Kitari, Martha added, waiting for the girl to turn around and make eye contact. She grinned in exaggeration. Service with a smile. You look so much prettier when you don’t have a frown on your face.

Kit nodded with an amused grin and exited the kitchen with the breakfast in tow. At his usual seat, in the booth at the back of the diner, sat Aron Dunn. The mysterious boy with dark locks and even darker eyes always had a pop culture magazine in his hands, reading the words and ordering the same meal every single morning: two biscuits with two mango jellies and straight black coffee.

He looked up at her as she approached, his curly black locks shifting on his forehead. In that quiet and deep rumbling voice, he murmured, Morning. Then he turned back to the magazine.

Morning, she replied, lifting the plate off the tray and placing it in front of him. Your biscuits. She went back for the mug. And your coffee. Tucking the tray under her armpit, she gave him a grin. Feeling adventurous today? Is there anything else I can get you? She was almost pleading for him to say something, to prove that she wasn’t trapped in an endless loop of life.

The slightly older boy looked up at her again. No. Thanks. Then he put down his magazine and went for the biscuits. Kit turned around quickly and sighed in disappointment, walking back to the kitchen.

The diner was slowly filling with people this Saturday morning. Kit began taking more orders and relaying them to the on-call chefs in the back, passing Martha and the hostess Veronica in the doorway. Everything seemed normal and relaxed as usual, couples enjoying a nice cup of coffee and pancakes. Kit noted this and went behind the bar counter. Crouching down, she began to shuffle in the cabinets, looking for more sugar packets and creamer that she knew they would need in the next hour with the incoming flow. That’s when it all changed.

There was a single scream and then shouts of panic following a loud bang. Kit froze in place, her eyes widening in confusion and her body stiffening out of instinct.

Shut up! a man’s voice grunted from close by, causing the room to grow quiet. No one make any noise! Do you understand?

Thoughts spun through her mind as Kit covered her mouth with her hand. She instantly assumed that a thief had broken into the restaurant, wanting money and threatening others with a gun. Statistically speaking, the chances of a small diner in Savannah being robbed in the middle of the day were little to none. Kit had wanted something different to happen today, ‘but not this’. She reached for her phone in her back pocket, slowly pulling it out and unlocking it to call the police.

Before she could manage to press the screen, a large blast sounded and inches from her head, a hole burst through the wooden counter. Kit fell backward, eyes widening at the smoke pouring from the debris. What kind of weapon did this criminal have?

You, behind the bar, stand up and drop the technology!

Kit’s blood ran cold and her phone clattered to the floor. There was no way this man could have seen her, so how could he have known she had a phone? With her hands above her head in surrender, she slowly rose and revealed herself from behind the counter. Her wide eyes landed on a man with straw-blond hair and a stony glare.

I didn’t do anything, Kit blurted out in fear.

Quiet! the man told her, blinking steadily as he held his arm out toward her. Come out from there.

Kit swallowed, making her way slowly around the counter without breaking eye contact with the man. His eyes followed her as she rounded the platform, the body of Veronica lying still at her feet. She gasped and began to tremble slightly as she stepped over her coworker to be in full vision of the attacker.

Now, the man continued, looking around. He stopped when his eyes landed on Aron and they narrowed. Dunn… What are you doing here? He marched toward the boy, who looked equally surprised of the oncoming threat. Where is it? The demand was surprising soft as it left his lips.

Aron shook his head. I don’t know what you are talking about.

The man reached forward and grabbed Aron by his shirt, causing Kit to gasp in shock. Don’t play games with me, Aron! Why would you be here if you do not know where it is. If you do not tell me, I’ll kill everyone in this building, starting with you.

Aron held his gaze, looking slightly taken aback, but nothing giving much else away. He said, I can’t tell you because I don’t know what you’re looking for. Threatening the lives of these people will solve nothing.

The man frowned and suddenly threw Aron across the room with a strength that seemed inhuman. Kit watched as the body sailed through the air and crashed into the wall before sliding down behind the counter where Kit had previously been crouching. The girl stared at Aron’s beaten appearance as he weakly sat up and the two made eye contact.

The man then turned back to Kit, regaining her attention, and causing her to shake again. You, come here now.

Kit shook her head in protest. L-look sir. I don’t know what it is you want. Is it money? I have access to the register. I’ll give it to you.

Money? the man questioned and then shook his head, as if confused. I don’t want your money. I’m not robbing you. He suddenly reached out toward her again and Kit’s eyes widened as she was suddenly pulled across the room by some force toward the man. It was so fast, she barely had time to react before the man had his hand wrapped around her forearm. I want the truth of what the hell is going on around here!

Hey, Aron’s quiet voice, a little louder than usual but not quite a shout, sounded as he stood back up. Let her go, she doesn’t know anything.

Bullshit, I’m not letting her go until I get what I want, the man told him, tightening his grip on Kit’s forearm. It stung but she didn’t dare give the guy any satisfaction with a cry of pain.

Let her go or face the consequences, Aron warned him with narrowed eyes.

What consequences, Aron? You? Please. Don’t make me laugh, the man scoffed. Who’s going to stop me?

Me. The voice behind them caught both the man and Kit off-guard. The girl turned to see a boy staring at them, his stance tough and unwavering as his fierce blue eyes locked on the man. Matching his eyes was the royal blue overcoat he was wearing, contrasting with his rich brown hair.

Rhys, the man said in shock. For a moment he hesitated and then growled, Stay out of this!

Let the girl go and stop causing these people trouble, the newcomer, seeming to be named Rhys, told him as he took a step forward. We can settle this elsewhere. Don’t do this here.

You’re too late, the man told him blandly. Kit sounded let out a squeak as her arm began to heat under his grip. What felt like a fiery sting pierced through her skin and Kit’s eyes widened as she grunted in sudden pain.

Bunker! Rhys suddenly shouted, running toward them with outstretched arms. Kit clearly caught the orange energy that seemed to be coming out of his fingertips.

The man, Bunker, let go of Kit and she fell to the ground, holding her arm in agony.

When she looked down at it, the skin was red, a clearly developed symbol throbbing at the site of the pain. It was like the man had given her a burn in the form of a tattoo. And the most shocking part of it all—the symbol was green.

She gasped again as the two men behind her began to fight, blasts of green and orange energy being thrown effortlessly through the air. Kit crawled away as the two threw the small explosions at each other with their hands, the missed strikes destroying parts of the diner in the background.

Everyone out! Everyone out! Martha was near the back, trying to shuffle customers through the door as the dangerous duel occurred behind them.

Kit tried to make her way over but just as suddenly, Aron was in her way. He reached down and pulled her to her feet by her wrist. Before she could protest, his eyes studied the mark that had been burnt into her arm. They looked concerned for once and they flashed before he told her, You can’t leave.

What? Kit asked in shock. What are you talking about?

You can’t leave, Aron repeated in his quiet voice. If you leave then you will—

He was cut off as a blast of energy knocked him backward, sending him away from Kit and into a booth nearby with a crash. Kit cried out in fear, turning around see that the man was approaching her and mumbling, I didn’t get to finish questioning you.

Stop! Rhys yelled, looking a bit bruised as picked himself off the floor and speedily ran to the assailant. He threw another blast at Bunker, who easily blocked it.

That battle that ensued defied physics and everything Kit had ever known. Strange forces burst from the hand movements of the two as they dodged and attacked with these strange light energies. Right as she was about to start crawling away again, Bunker overcame Rhys and hit him to the ground harshly. The slam of the boy’s body indented the tile flooring, terrifying the girl who thought Rhys must be seriously injured from the blow.

Rhys Beckett, the man said with a conflicted gaze, walking over to him as the fatigued boy lifted his head wearily. You were so easily defeated. You should have considered that I know your fighting skills better than you know yourself before you challenged me. Maybe I should teach you a more permanent lesson, huh? With a crackle, a black ball of electrifying energy swarmed between the man’s hands.

Kit looked around helplessly, not wanting to watch this boy die by some strange form of warfare. Her eyes caught a steak knife, resting on the ground from when it was probably knocked off earlier by a scared customer. Kit reached over and grabbed it, before getting to her feet. She swallowed the ball of nerves in her throat, her burn throbbing as she rushed at the man who had his back to her. A cry of anger left her mouth as she swung her fist at the man’s shoulder, the blade of the knife sliding through his skin before abruptly stopping.

Bunker let out a shout of agony, the ball disappearing from his hands as he turned to address the pain in his back. His eyes shot up to Kit, who was backing away in terror as the man began to shake in fury. He ripped the knife out of his body and threw it across the room.

That hurt, damn it! the man hissed out. You’ll pay for that. Then he formed a ball of black energy and threw it at her.

Kit blinked as Aron jumped in front of her, blocking the ball of energy with a shield of purple light. It reflected off the surface and hit the adjacent wall with a smoky explosion. Kit used her arms to block her face from the heat, realizing that she could have been her at the core of the blast if it had not been for her daily guest.

Obviously fatigued by the block, Aron fell to his knees in exhaustion, taking a deep breath.

The man raised an eyebrow. Impressive. Let’s see if you can block it again!

Enough! Rhys got back to his feet. I’m not alone, Bunker. My brother and the Council are on their way. You will be outnumbered in mere minutes. I suggest you leave!

The man turned to look back at him with a grunt, Damn it, Rhys! His eyes scanned the diner and settled on Kit before he looked down angrily. You’ll eventually understand how I see things. When you do, you know where to find me. Then he pulled something from his pocket, saying a phrase and slamming the object to the ground, smoke swallowing him suddenly. When it cleared, Kit realized the man had vanished from sight.

Rhys watched him go and then hunched over slightly, sweat dripping from his head and his breath uneven. He looked up and met Kit’s gaze momentarily before looking down at Aron’s twitching body in front of her.

Aron! Rhys cried out, stumbling to his side. He knelt on the ground, his hand on the boy’s shoulder. Are you alright?

I’m fine, Aron told him and sat up with a grunt.

Rhys sighed angrily. You aren’t fine! You were almost obliterated by black magic!

Kit started to shake, looking past the two boys and Veronica’s body on the ground. She moved around them with a stumble, stealing Rhys and Aron’s attention. Veronica… She knelt by the blonde’s side, reaching out to check her pulse. Are you with us?

Rhys, stop her! Aron exclaimed with wide eyes.

Rhys moved forward and grabbed Kit’s shoulder. Wait! Don’t touch her!

Huh? Kit questioned, looking at the boy and meeting his intense blue eyes. I need to make sure she is okay!

Let me, Rhys said, leaning forward and gently pressing two fingers to Veronica’s neck. She has a pulse, but it is very weak. He looked over his shoulder at Dunn. He must have stunned her. Hopefully, the Earth authorities are on their way. Rhys then randomly reached out and grabbed Kit’s wrist, just as Aron had before. His eyes studied the burnt skin now on her lower arm. Damn it. You’re marked.

Aron nodded in agreement. I noticed that as soon as he let her go.

Rhys grumbled, We can’t leave her like this… He let go of her and stood up, pacing the remains of the diner.

What is happening? Kit questioned with a panicked feeling in her chest. What did that guy do to my arm?

Rhys and Aron exchanged a look with one another, Aron’s eyes stern and Rhys’ eyes annoyed. We have to take her to Carac, Aron told him quietly. It’s the only way.

Damn it! Rhys cursed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Then she’ll know too much.

She already knows too much, Aron pointed out. If we don’t do something right now then she could die.

Kit’s eyes widened. What?

Suddenly, sirens sounded outside and the three looked toward the window to see many police cars had pulled up.

Rhys turned to Aron. We have to go now.

Make the call, Aron told him, stealing a glance at Kit. I have one more stone left to make the jump.

Kit looked bath and forth between them as Rhys sighed, reaching forward and grabbing Kit’s wrist. Let’s go! Before Kit could ask, she was pulled across the room and into the kitchen. The two boys gathered close to her and Aron grabbed her other wrist lightly before plucking a strangely shaped stone from his pocket.

"Pandite vos regnum!" Aron exclaimed and then threw it at the ground near their feet.

The girl blinked several times, the light slightly blinding her as it burst around them. Just as quickly it faded, leaving the three surrounded in the alley of a village, buildings towering over them.

W-what? she whispered, staring around with wide eyes. Where’s the diner? What happened?

Aron looked at Rhys and the blue-eyed boy sighed before meeting her gaze. This is the Realm and we are going to save your life.

Chapter Two

For the past ten years,